With bone dry weather over the week and only 0.01" over the last 3 weeks it would seem at least mildly dry soil conditions would prevail but the soil is still mostly frozen and waterways are still looking ok, so near normal seems about right.  Our U.S. Drought Monitor does have this area in a mild drought, so when the soil does thaw soil conditions could change rapidly.  Our bone chilling cold spell has met its match and we are now experiencing spring like warm temperatures that look to continue for several more days at least.  All but the deepest snow drifts have melted and the surrounding landscape has returned to a brown and gray appearance.  While hiking last weekend I noticed something bright blue ahead.  Thinking it was probably some windblown trash, I went over to pick it up and to my amazement discovered, sadly, that it was a perfectly preserved bluebird with wings outstretched and its eyes wide open as if it died mid flight.  I took some pictures and carefully placed it in a nest like setting.  Could it have been some sort of sign?  Not sure but it was way out of place and I have never seen anything like it in all my travels.  Something to ponder in these humdrum days of late winter.